USHL -- UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE
Top junior league in the United States. 17 teams. Premier development path for NCAA Division I players.
The United States Hockey League is the top junior hockey league in the United States — Tier 1 under USA Hockey's American Development Model. Founded in 1961 (rebuilt twice, most recently via a merger with the former IHL Tier 2 junior circuit in 2010), the USHL fields 17 teams across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and East Coast, with players aged 16 to 20. Unlike the CHL's Major Junior leagues, the USHL preserves NCAA eligibility for its players — making it the primary pipeline to NCAA Division I college hockey and, ultimately, the NHL. The USHL averages more than 200 NHL alumni across active rosters, including Patrick Kane (born 1988, played 2004-05 in the USHL prior to Wisconsin), Anders Bjork, John Gaudreau, and Brock Boeser. The USHL championship trophy is the Clark Cup, awarded to the playoff champion each spring.
United States Hockey League -- Top Tier US Junior
17 TEAMS • UNITED STATES
Founded 1972 • USA Hockey's top junior league
Teams
17
Age Range
16-20
Founded
1972
NCAA Path
Yes
ABOUT THE USHL
The United States Hockey League is the top junior hockey league in the United States and one of the premier development leagues in North America. Unlike Canadian Major Junior leagues, USHL players typically use their junior years to develop while maintaining NCAA eligibility. Many USHL players go on to play NCAA Division I hockey before turning professional. The USHL is often referred to as the "USNTDP pipeline" complement, with many players advancing to the US National Team Development Program and NCAA powerhouse programs.
Teams in USHL
Browse all USHL teams in the directory: see all USHL teams →